Engagement with the HRC

Principal sponsorship of HRC resolutions

Promotion and protection of human rights and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Contribution to the implementation of the joint commitment to effectively addressing and countering the world drug problem with regard to human rights; The full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls and the systematic mainstreaming of a gender perspective into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Contribution of the Human Rights Council to the high level meeting on HIV/AIDS in 2016; Education as a tool to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members; Mental health and human rights; Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Question of the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights; The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; The right to education; Youth and human rights.

Voting record

Since it first became a member of the Council in 2015, Portugal has either voted in favour of or has joined consensus on every resolution tabled under item 4 (situations that require the Council’s attention), and country-specific resolutions under item 2. For item 7 resolutions (human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories), Portugal has always voted in favour, except once: a March 2015 resolution on the ‘occupied Syrian Golan.’
For thematic resolutions dealing with civil and political rights, where a vote has been called, Portugal has voted in favour of resolutions dealing with the ‘regulation of firearms,’ and ‘human rights, democracy and rule of law;’ and against a March 2015 resolution tabled by Egypt on the effects of terrorism. It abstained during the vote on Pakistan’s 2015 resolution on drones.
For thematic resolutions dealing with economic, social and cultural rights, Portugal has joined consensus on a majority of texts. Where there have been votes on such texts, Portugal has voted against resolutions on: foreign debt (Cuba); and international solidarity (Cuba). It abstained on a 2015 African Group resolution on the repatriation of illicit funds.

Universal Periodic Review

Participation in other reviews1st cycle: 49 / 192

2nd cycle: 152 / 192

Cooperation with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

Cited in the Secretary General’s reports on 'alleged reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights' (2010-2018)?

NO

Fulfilment of past voluntary pledges & commitments

Specific voluntary pledges: 22

Portugal tabled ‘voluntary pledges and commitments’ in support for its candidacy for membership for the period 2015-2017 on 23 July 2014. The document presents Portugal’s international level and national level commitments and pledges for its membership term.

At the international level, Portugal pledged to: continue to present Council initiatives on economic, social and cultural rights, and the right to education; maintain its Standing Invitation to Special Procedures; cooperate fully with Treaty Bodies; recognise communications procedures under the treaties; actively support and participate in the UPR (its own and the UPR of other states); support the participation of NGOs and NHRIs at the Council; protect the independence of OHCHR and Special Procedures; promote the abolition of the death penalty in all countries; and promote the inclusion of human rights in the post-2015 development agenda.

The document offers a number of commitments related to the implementation of UN human rights obligations and recommendations, including: to develop relevant national action plans; and to make full use of the Portuguese National Human Rights Committee, an inter-ministerial body responsible for coordination and implementation.

At national level, Portugal made commitments to: reinforce cooperation with civil society; improve the protection of the rights of the child; and ensure the integration of a gender perspective into national policies and programmes.

An analysis of steps taken by Portugal in fulfilment of its international pledges shows that it has indeed continued to lead on Council resolutions focused on economic, social and cultural rights, and on the right to education. Portugal has maintained its Standing Invitation, and does cooperate strongly with Special Procedures. It is Party to all core conventions (with no reservations). Regarding UPR, Portugal shows strong commitment vis-à-vis its own review, but has only participated in around 25% of the reviews of other states. Portugal made a voluntary financial contribution to OHCHR in 2017.